Rethinking Kioti products

[DK35vince]

Ritch it appears this is one place our EX manuals do not match up with the DK actual wiring. I will guarantee all that the L M H and N lamps do and should light up on the DK series.

The DK se series seems to have it.
My older model DK does not light up for ranges

 

[IslandTractor]

The DK se series seems to have it.
My older model DK does not light up for ranges

My 2003 CK20 didn't light up either. I suspect this feature was added with the DKse roll out in 2007 and continued obviously with the NX.

 

[joefromga]

But we know the lamps and wiring in the dash is not "shorted out" whatever that term means. as the dash has been substituted into a working tractor and been proven to be in good working order.

I think a light bulb that is shorted out is working PROPERLY. The short is what causes the filament to burn.

People love that term. "I think there's a dead short in it" .

 

[VTland2clear]

Once again a thread jumping on Kioti about basically nothing one can possibly comprehend.:confused2:
Two Kioti's, same dealer, no warranty? Wiring shorted? Dash bad? Potentiometer issue? What is it?
It's customer service issue - or isn't it?

Reality is the DK-40 range selector displays the range the tractor is in for the HST model. Either H M L, or N. This lights up on dash according to the position of the range selector. Period.

If it isn't displaying the correct range selection it can be adjusted per the service manual. If the display is not illuminating then there is a problem in the circuit that completes this function. Simple logical deduction of the circuit is needed by a tech who knows how to troubleshoot!:confused3:

People can come on here and say whatever they want about customer service and the dealer being the most important part of a tractor purchase. Maybe true for tractor brands with significant issues and repairs needed after sale; BUT I can guarantee one that with few exceptions the Kioti brand stands behind its customers time and again. The few exceptions are mostly communication related between customer, their dealer, and sometimes the US HQ. And since I've been on TBN, since May, 2009, with ownership of 2 Kioti's and close to 2000 hours of hard work on the tractors, Kioti has been working hard to establish a network of reliable dealers in the US. That means some, if not many may be dropped to replace with more dedicated or better more knowledgeable dealers, etc. This is an industry wide issue - getting things done right in the US. All tractor manufacturers deal with this issue here because of workforce, costs of staying in a labor intensive field in this economy, etc.

Rather than slamming HQ to no avail; try asking for help from TBN's 'Team Kioti', comprised of dedicated folks like KOua and me, and many others who dedicate ourselves to getting things fixed right the first time, and will follow issues to their satisfactory outcome. Anything else is just a waste of time and like spitting into the wind.

So give details, year, hours, exact problem description, attempted fixes, etc. Then let us help you get what you came here for: solutions.

Now state your case, clearly and concisely...

Thanks,

CM

and 'Team Kioti':thumbsup:

This made me smile, because the TBN community is what steered me towards Kioti. So foreign sounding at first, but has since become so familiar. Like previously mentioned I checked the biggest names first, which left me with price shock. I know that if you want quality you have to pay for it, but it seems like even that isn't enough these days.
After acclimating to the price range for a decent new (or used!) tractor, I decided that I better get the best for the money. After obsessing over specifications, the Kioti still won out over other brands. Before I even saw one in person I was excited, and sold on the first seat test. After visiting the 3 dealers in my region, which were all fantastic, I settled on the lowest quote. I also respect South Korean products, and once I realized that even Deere was mostly foreign parts, my brand loyalties skewed further.

Go Kioti!

 

[Fordman1981]

This made me smile, because the TBN community is what steered me towards Kioti. So foreign sounding at first, but has since become so familiar. Like previously mentioned I checked the biggest names first, which left me with price shock. I know that if you want quality you have to pay for it, but it seems like even that isn't enough these days. After acclimating to the price range for a decent new tractor, I decide that I better get the best I can for the amount of money I end up paying. After obsessing over specifications, the Kioti still won out over other brands. Before I even saw one in person I was excited, and sold on the first seat test. After visiting the 3 dealers in my region, which were all fantastic, I settled on the lowest quote. I also respect South Korean products, and once I realized that even Deere was mostly foreign parts, my brand loyalties skewed further. Go Kioti!

Actually this attack that some kioti owners have on anyone that may be upset at the time and dares say something bad about the brand amazes me. I've seen more than one guy never post again after post like this. I know some say well he was probably a troll to begin with, but what if he's not what if it's some poor guy that has just had a bad experience with his new tractor just looking for help and needing to vent a little. I guess kioti is a good brand for people like CM because if you dare say something bad about kioti the claws come out.

 

[ovrszd]

Actually this attack that some kioti owners have on anyone that may be upset at the time and dares say something bad about the brand amazes me. I've seen more than one guy never post again after post like this. I know some say well he was probably a troll to begin with, but what if he's not what if it's some poor guy that has just had a bad experience with his new tractor just looking for help and needing to vent a little. I guess kioti is a good brand for people like murph because if you dare say something bad about kioti the claws come out.

I agree. I took the OP at face value. I assume he honestly talked us thru his problem and the results. I thought he explained very well his actions and the reactions of the company. No one will benefit from "blaming" this on the OP.

 

[joefromga]

I think the issue is that one problem makes people say "I'll never buy xxxx brand again. . That's foolish because every brand has problems.

It's the same on car forums. For every person who says they will never buy that brand again there's another one that won't buy the other brand again.

Even Koreans aren't perfect manufacturers. I love my kioti and my two Korean cars. I also love my 2 fords. If I had a kubota I'd love it too but I'd have less money leftover and less tractor features.

 

[ovrszd]

I think the issue is that one problem makes people say "I'll never buy xxxx brand again. . That's foolish because every brand has problems.

It's the same on car forums. For every person who says they will never buy that brand again there's another one that won't buy the other brand again.

Even Koreans aren't perfect manufacturers. I love my kioti and my two Korean cars. I also love my 2 fords. If I had a kubota I'd love it too but I'd have less money leftover and less tractor features.

I went back and reread the OP's original post. He never mentioned not buying a Kioti again. All he said was the support he's received to date has been lacking.

And as you mentioned, that could happen with any brand.

As for the money issue, a tractor, car, boat, truck, ATV, whatever, is only a good value if it meets your expectations. In this case it has not. The OP never mentioned what he paid for the tractor. It doesn't matter to him by now.

Hopefully someone can chime in with a solution for him or at least a suggestion as to how he can fix the problem.

 

[joefromga]

Well if it works in another identical tractor then the supply plug is where I'd start. Is there power? Are the wires torn, cut or chewed? . Find the schematic and start measuring voltage or use the working tractor to see what each pin gives you.

Also keep calling kioti and call the next closest dealer. Problems suck for sure.

 

[murphy1244]

Actually this attack that some kioti owners have on anyone that may be upset at the time and dares say something bad about the brand amazes me. I've seen more than one guy never post again after post like this. I know some say well he was probably a troll to begin with, but what if he's not what if it's some poor guy that has just had a bad experience with his new tractor just looking for help and needing to vent a little. I guess kioti is a good brand for people like murph because if you dare say something bad about kioti the claws come out.

Why did my name come up in a thread I didn't even post in????:confused2:

 

[Fordman1981]

Why did my name come up in a thread I didn't even post in????:confused2:

Sorry murph my bad don't know how I did that. Was referring to coyote machine's post.

 

[murphy1244]

Sorry murph my bad don't know how I did that. Was referring to coyote machine's post.

Accepted, go with God and sin no more.

 

[2ndhalf]

Accepted, go with God and sin no more.

Ha Ha.. Now that's funny! I don't care what you say!:laughing:

 

[Fordman1981]

To the op sorry you are having issues with your tractor it can be frustrating and a little venting is normal. Now to try and help if you could tell us the steps you took that lead to the replacing of each part we could possibly help with any trouble shooting steps you have missed.

Have you just been throwing parts at it in an attempt to fix it? If the dealer is saying it could be wiring related that's a simple thing to rule out with time and a VOM. I or many others on here could walk you through the procedures.

 

[Coyote machine]

Yeah, if only the OP would post something that would give us a clue as to where the repair is at currently, then some Kioti owners could solve this. Chances are, knowing the little we do currently, the problem is in the communication between the dash cluster and what feeds it signal from the switch via the cruise module.

 

[Fordman1981]

Unsubscribed.

 

[Coyote machine]

Unsubscribed.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[ricky wyatt]

Guys im not bashing Kioti like i said in my post this is my second unit but, i will pose a test for you who may have doubt try to contact melissa waters at Kioti hq in north carolina and wait for them to call you back please go ahead i'll wait............. i bet you no one called back. like i posted im dealing with the usa #1 dealer of Kioti and to me i feel like everything should work properly on this tractor i feel its at safety issue if my son hit the forward pedal and it rolls because you cant see what you are in could be disastrous. as i posted everything was fine when i found out it was not working i took off the potentionmeter tested it and also put it on a working Kioti and the dash lights worked i then removed the cruse unit and did the same thing and it was also working then i hooked the dash up to a new Kioti and it to works fine now im frustrated i'm running out of thing to test and don't seem to be getting help from Kioti no one wants to admit thay had cruse moduel problems or ignition issues whats a fellow have to do? i love my tractor but, never thought i would have problems just speaking to someone i'm pretty knowledgeable about mechanical stuff but this one has got my head hurting..

 

[ovrszd]

Guys im not bashing Kioti like i said in my post this is my second unit but, i will pose a test for you who may have doubt try to contact melissa waters at Kioti hq in north carolina and wait for them to call you back please go ahead i'll wait............. i bet you no one called back. like i posted im dealing with the usa #1 dealer of Kioti and to me i feel like everything should work properly on this tractor i feel its at safety issue if my son hit the forward pedal and it rolls because you cant see what you are in could be disastrous. as i posted everything was fine when i found out it was not working i took off the potentionmeter tested it and also put it on a working Kioti and the dash lights worked i then removed the cruse unit and did the same thing and it was also working then i hooked the dash up to a new Kioti and it to works fine now im frustrated i'm running out of thing to test and don't seem to be getting help from Kioti no one wants to admit thay had cruse moduel problems or ignition issues whats a fellow have to do? i love my tractor but, never thought i would have problems just speaking to someone i'm pretty knowledgeable about mechanical stuff but this one has got my head hurting..

No further explanation needed for me Rick. I got it the first time you posted.

It's not like you are asking Kioti to fix this problem under warranty or anything like that. I take it that you are just trying to get some technical assistance in finding the problem. I'd be frustrated too.

I'm not sure you are going to find much help here. Hopefully a member will read this that has had a similar problem and can offer advice rather than question your motives.

 

[Hard Knocks]

If I understand correctly you have not taken your tractor in to the dealer to have the problem fixed. You are trying to fix this on your own. Is this correct?

Please don't take this the wrong way but I can see you having issues with the dealer not giving you 100% step by step support if this is the case. Most dealers will go out of their way to help a customer with technical support and advise for do it yourself repairs. But they are not obligated to teach you how to fix your tractor with no compensation.

Have you purchased a service manual? The circuit that you are working on is not overly complicated and is laid out in the manual. I believe that you mentioned that you have replaced the potentiometer, display unit, and had your dealer check the dash cluster. If that is correct you have input and output wiring left to check. The manual has a decent wiring schematic. With a good multimeter you will be able to fix your issue fairly quickly.

As far as lack of corporate response from Kioti I am sorry that they have ignored you. I can however speculate that if and when they return your calls they will direct you to a dealer. They rely on the dealer network to support the product. I think that most of us do a good job at it.